11.25.2008

Hath Frozen Over

My buddy Tim and I do a yearly football trip. As Michigan fans, we usually build the trip around a Wolverine game. This year we braved hostile territory to watch the game in the Horseshoe in Columbus. The following is the text conversation with my GirlFriend.
Mud: Officially behind enemy lines now. Going under gover … GPS pointing us toward The Bush Tavern for lunch … Or Capin’ Woodies Pub & Grub
Mud: In Columbus now … Toasting Tim (he’s 45 today) with more JW Blue before heading out to the Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus.
GF: Toast him for me too. Have fun! Is it snowing there?
Mud: Not at the moment. As we got closer to Columbus it got warmer … Which is appropo FOR HELL. I swear I just saw a flying monkey or two out the window.
GF: Why is it Hell?
Mud: Home of archrival THE Ohio State University … That’s why the ‘bhind enemy lines’ and ‘under cover’ ….
Mud: Big Ballroom Dancing competition at the convention cntr, too.
GF: I get that. Wasn’t sure if u had a bad personal experience or not.
Mud: Never been here before… Hell is grey (and scarlet) and a cold day in hell, btw.
Mud: Hell has a Westin. Tho this non-smoking room smells like smoke. Probably because THIS IS HELL.
GF: u crack me up. I usually like Westins. No duvet w big fluffy pillows?
Mud: Yep. Bed looks comfy. Little slice of heaven WHILE IN HELL.
Mud: K. All bundled up now. Heading out to that brewery. Gonna brave these hellish elements and walk six blocks.
Mud: This bar offers and MBA … A Masters of Beer Appreciation
Mud: Beef Sliders, Aztec Chicken Soup, and a six flight beer tasting.
Mud: btw, we counted four bail bonds places (one was on the corner of Rich St.), a violin repair shop, and the State Capitol bldg on a four block walk thru Hell.
Mud: While in Hell what better concert to go see than AC/DC.? Playing tonight down the street from here. Might try and scalp a few.
Mud: Tim ordered chicken wings. He’s practically in tears they are so hot. Probably because WE R IN HELL.
Mud: Four Vines on the list … So let Christian know his wine is served in Hell. I think he’d like that idea.
GF: You so need to save these texts & blog them. You are on such a roll!
Mud: Back at the hotel room… We needed more ‘Blue’ because everything is scarlet here.
Mud: There has to be a decent Cigar Bar in Hell. That and the place they make Hand Baskets.
GF: Do u think the Blue will clash with the color of your lips & fingertips?
Mud: Blue and Blui-ish whould work together.
Mud: btw, on the walk back we passed Akbar n Jeff at the bus stop across from the bail bonds place. Didn’t see the rabbit tho.
GF: I don’t know Akbar & Jeff
Mud: Matt Groening … Life in Hell comic strips … before The Simpson’s
Mud: Akbar n Jeff. Brotghers or lovers (or possibly both)…. And that silly rabbit
GF: I had school is Hell. Loved those!
Mud: They wore fez(s) and Charlie Brown shirts.
GF: No AC/DC tickets. Sold out. Maybe the place called Columbus Gold out near the airport. They have and OSU v.UoM whipcream wrestling extravaganza.
Mud: According to the ad. Hell has hot women.
GF: Just try to resist “the other delights”
Mud: I don’t think Tiajuana Brass is their house band. I know this because they are the opening act for AC/DC.
GF: Well if you run into Herb tell him that OH blows harder than he does.
Mud: Nice! ROTFLOL
Mud: Dinner at Barley’s. Motto: af few beers were brewed up over the years here….. I’m eating the Grilled Portebella Sandwich with Blackbeans and Rice. The Amber is well on the way to being one of the better Ambers. And from Hell, that statement hurts a lot.
GF: Who did Hot Lips Hoolihan marry? Tim can’t look it up either
Mud: Cl. Donal Penopscott
GF: U R WEIRD. I knew you’d know the answer.
Mud: We found a dive bar. Guinness on tap. Juke box crankin ‘three steps’ by Leonard Skynard. Stumbling distance to the hotel.
Mud: 99 Luftballoons and Petron shaken over ice…. Happy 45th, Tim.
Mud: Hell continued tomorrow for the big game. Night.
GF: Night.

11.11.2008

Life's Lyrics 17 - Something Coming Over

Yep. Like I'd written it myself... from O.A.R.
Who's that with his arms around you?
Making eyes at you that way?
Looks in love, man it looks familiar
Damn, it's me
Never thought I'd see that day
It's like I came to from sleeping
No more bed rails
I'm pulled to daylight by your voice
Not that I had any choice

Now there's something coming over me
I know it's you
And there's someone that I used to be
But he is through
And I know that it's forever
And it's hard to do
There's something coming over me
I know it's you

And now we're talking 'bout the future
And a future wide open
If we love, it'll be the best place
I've ever been
And it was you to the rescue
Did I mention that I've never felt like this before?
I'm powerless to fight it anymore

Now there's something coming over me
I know it's you
And there's someone that I used to be
But he is through
And I know that it's forever
And it's hard to do
There's something coming over me
I know it's you

Used to watch this game from the sidelines
Now it's time to get on in and play
You've been waiting there for me for my whole life
I saw you, I saw you
And I know that it's forever
And it's hard to do
There's something coming over me
I know it's you

Now there's something coming over me
I know it's you
And there's someone that I used to be
But he is through
And I know that it's forever
And it's hard to do
There's something coming over me
I know it's you

Life's Lyrics 16 - Whatever Happened

Another O.A.R. song.... maybe I'm not necessarily interpreting the lyrics quite the way the band intended, but this is positive "moving forward" song for me.... I've only listened to it 10-15 times already and I just got the cd this morning in the mail.
Tell me I'm dreaming
My feet are stone and my light is dim
Chasing this demon on his way down

Whatever happened? Whatever happened?

Spent the night out on the hill
And watched the world
Sleep sound and still
And over mountains
Darkness will wash me over

Whatever happened? Whatever happened?
It's been a long way back
From the edge of that
Saw the world from the hill
I'm right back where it started
And it still feels right
Like the very first time
I saw the world like a kid
Yesterday is over
Let's write another story tonight

City gates of rusted iron
Can't contain the light inside
So I spot this devil at the county line
And went no further

Whatever happened? Whatever happened?
It's been a long way back
From the edge of that
Saw the world from the hill
I'm right back where it started
And it still feels right
Like the very first time
I saw the world like a kid
Yesterday is over
Let's write another story tonight

After all the time is gone
I'll have morning

It's been a long way back
From the edge of that
When the world was a kid
I'm right back where it started
And it still feels right
Like the very first night
Saw the world like a kid
Let's write another story tonight
I saw the world from the hill
Let's write another story tonight
I saw the world like a kid
Let's write another story
Write another story tonight

11.06.2008

After Mediation



and tonight's playlist:
(I Ain't) Missing You (Acoustic) - John Waite
On My Way (Acoustic) - Ingram Hill
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon
These Days - Jackson Browne (see below)
Time for Me to Fly - REO Speedwagon
I Will Survive - Cake
Turn and Walk Away - The Babys
Off and Running - James McMurtry
heartbreak a stranger - Bob Mould
kiss this thing goodbye - del amitri
It Is What It Is - Minibar (see above)
Nothing Left To Lose - Needtobreathe
thought i knew you - Mathew Sweet
Last Day of Our Acquaintance - Sinéad O'Connor

11.05.2008

Life's Lyrics 15 - These Days

It is the night before I walk into a lawyer's office and face divorce mediation. I am unusually light about it and probably shouldn't be. I guess I'm resolved to what ever happens, happens. Not much more I can do at this point. All the forms are filled out. I've talked with my soon to be Ex-wife at length so that there should be no surprises tomorrow.

So, after tucking the kids into bed, I've spent the better part of the night cleaning a kitchen, a room I'm not sure will host many more meals for me. I'm a bit melancholy. And when that happens I turn to music.

While finishing up the last kitchen items, I quietly started a playlist on my iPod that holds nearly ten hours of relatively mellow acoustic music. i put it on random as I didn't want to dictate a mood. The first song to spill forth was an acoustic version of a Jackson Browne song, These Days.

Oh my. Did this hit home tonight. I listened for nearly half of an hour on repeat. I never got to another song. In order to purge the song and get a decent sleep tonight, I decided to post it. So, here ....
Well I've been out walking
I don't do that much talking these days
These days--
These days I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do
And all the times I had the chance to

And I had a lover
Its so hard to risk another these days
These days--
Now if I seem to be afraid
To live the life I have made in song
Well its just that I've been losing so long

I'll keep on moving
Things are bound to be improving these days
These days--
These days I sit on corner stones
And count the time in quarter tones to ten, my friend
Dont confront me with my failures
I had not forgotten them

Now I need to find a way to fall asleep....

Life's Lyrics 14 - Second Chances

New band for me needtobreathe. I like the band but struggle with the lyrics (not my point of view these days). But the song Second Chances speaks to me. I can't listen to it much as it brings me down and I don't need more of THAT. needtobreathe ... cool band.
All my past is color
Placed inside my hands
Empty is the canvas
Patiently I plan
Stars are bright above me
That’s not where I am
Greens will be behind me
Blues will make the man

I can’t help but fear I’ve done this wrong
Cause seldom second chances come along

Greys are all around me
Fading into black
Stars were bright above me
Won’t you bring them back

I can’t help but fear I’ve done this wrong
Cause seldom second chances come along
If time can break us, will it make us strong
Cause seldom second chances come along

Good Morning

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes, into
Your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.

- Maya Angelou (at the inauguration for President Bill Clinton)
Last night was a wonderful experience. I sat on the couch, my kids on either side of me, watching history. November 4th, 2008 was a day about a new chapter in American history for all the obvious reasons. But it was also about my kids. It was about us. I am proud to be a part of this change.

Granted, the days ahead are going to be challenging to say the least. The responsibility and mountains to climb are rather daunting. However, I am encouraged by the passion and shear energy from this movement. I learned last night that we can, no will, change for the better.

This morning I have hope for change for the first time in a very, very long time.

Good morning, indeed.

11.02.2008

The Apology

... after 13 years of marriage, I was told I DID get an apology ... in an email.